We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Analysis of Nasal Polyps Suggests Mechanisms of Inflammation

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Sep 2018
Print article
Image: Diagram of the Seq-Well low-cost platform for single-cell RNA sequencing (Photo courtesy of Shalek Lab).
Image: Diagram of the Seq-Well low-cost platform for single-cell RNA sequencing (Photo courtesy of Shalek Lab).
Allergic inflammation can develop from persistent activation of type 2 immunity in the upper airway, resulting in chronic rhinosinusitis, which ranges in severity from rhinitis to severe nasal polyps.

Basal cell hyperplasia is a hallmark of severe disease, but it is not known how these progenitor cells contribute to clinical presentation and barrier tissue dysfunction in humans. In an effort to elucidate molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases, scientists have profiled the transcriptomes of human nasal polyps and nasal scrapings by single-cell RNA sequencing.

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA) and their colleagues performed single-cell RNA sequencing on more than 18,000 cells from 12 surgically removed nasal polyps spanning the disease spectrum. They used Seq-Well for massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing, report transcriptomes for human respiratory epithelial, immune and stromal cell types and subsets from a type 2 inflammatory disease, and map key mediators. Seq-Well is a portable, low-cost platform for single-cell RNA sequencing designed to be compatible with low-input, clinical biopsies.

The investigators found that the diversity of epithelial cell types was reduced in the nasal polyps, which contained few glandular and ciliated cells and were enriched in basal cells. The latter appeared to be stuck in their ability to differentiate into other cell types. This reduction in cellular diversity might be explained by differences in gene expression the scientists found between polyp and non-polyp basal progenitor cells. In addition, they revealed that a transcriptional program that is activated by cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4 ) and IL-13 is strongly induced in basal progenitor cells from polyps, suggesting a possible treatment with an antibody that blocks the shared IL-4/IL-13 receptor subunit.

The authors concluded that that reduced epithelial diversity stemming from functional shifts in basal cells is a key characteristic of type 2 immune-mediated barrier tissue dysfunction. Their results demonstrate that epithelial stem cells may contribute to the persistence of human disease by serving as repositories for allergic memories. The study was published on August 22, 2018, in the journal Nature.

Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
Gold Member
Real-time PCR System
GentierX3 Series

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.